Press Briefing: Update on the Development of the Situation between Cambodia and Thailand
11:00 AM, January 21, 2026
Intervention by H.E. Pen Bona, Royal Government Spokesperson
Samdech, Royal Highness, Excellency, ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning!
Today, the Spokesperson for the Royal Government of Cambodia would like to inform the general public, national and international, that the Royal Government of Cambodia registers its strong protest against the continued activities undertaken by the Thai armed forces which raise concerns regarding the Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
And are inconsistent with the de-escalation measures set out in ItemI of the Join Statement of the 3rd Special Metting of General Border Committee (GBC) dated 27 December 2025.
The concerning activities carried out on 19 January 2026 include:
1.The installation of a Buddha statue on the pedestal where a statue of Lord Vishnu had previously stood before being destroyed by Thai military personnel, in the An Ses area, Preah Vihear Province.
2.The installation of two additional containers to block road access, in Boeung Trakoun area, Banteay Meanchey Province.
3.The construction of bunkers with heavy machinery in Boeung Trakoun area.
In this context, Cambodia calls upon Thailand to implement in good faith and in full the provisions of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special GBC Meeting of 27 December 2025, and other relevant agreements and arrangements aimed at de-escalating the situation, building trust and confidence and restoring peace along the border between the two countries.
On 17 January 2026, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also registers Cambodia’s strong protest against the actions undertaken by the Thai armed forces that alter the security environment in or around civilian areas, consolidate military control, or create new facts on the ground, thereby directly undermining de-escalation efforts and hindering the safe and dignified return of civilians to their homes and properties. This includes laying barbed wire in the area of Thmor Da International Point of Entry of Pursat Province, on 16 January 2026.
The Spokesperson for the Royal Government of Cambodia would like to Re-emphasize that Cambodia, as a peace-loving Country, always adheres to its firm commitment and determination to faithfully respect the ceasefire and to Resolve the border issues by peaceful means in accordance with the international law and the spirit of the Joint Statement dated December 27, 2025, as well as the spirit of the previous agreements.
Cambodia maintains its firm position in safeguarding the Cambodia-Thailand international boundary as inherited from the Commission of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, in full respect of international law principles, the principle of intangibility of frontiers (Uti Possidetis Juris), the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, the maps, and the procès-verbaux of the Commission of the Abornment of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, as well as all relevant agreements and documents mutually agreed upon by both parties. Cambodia will not recognize any alteration of the boundary line resulting from the use of force.
